This paper examines the impact of a rise in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on poverty and inequality in Lebanon. It develops an empirical model based on consumer demand theory and uses only household survey data on expenditures and spatial price indexes.
The Israeli July 2006 war exposed the Lebanese population to disastrous conditions. It has profoundly affected residents’ livelihoods through bringing down access to services, infrastructure and natural resources. Responding to these emerging problems poses further challenges for the Lebanese government and society. In this respect, different emergency measures have been undertaken to address the arising needs, starting with assessing physical, economic and social damages.
As a contribution to identifying short and medium term intervention needs, the World Bank initiated undertaking a Post...
